Cruises around Manhattan
The best Circle Line and New York harbor cruises
The loop around Manhattan, 60- and 90-minute statue cruises, sunset trips and a yacht. Here is which cruise to book and how long to spend on the water.
See our 8 picks
A Circle Line cruise is a sightseeing boat from Pier 83 on West 42nd Street. It sails past the Statue of Liberty and the skyline. The 60-minute cruise costs from €22, and the sunset and harbor-lights trip from €40.
No sightseeing cruise lands on Liberty Island; for that you need the official ferry. All eight cruises below have free cancellation, and GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
Our 8 picks for New York cruises
Six are Circle Line cruises. One is a Starship cruise from Pier 78, and one is a 1920s-style yacht from Chelsea Piers.
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from €35 per person Our top pick 2 h 30 min 4.6 (7,947) reviews on GetYourGuide
2.5-hour cruise around all of Manhattan
The full loop around Manhattan from Pier 83, with a live guide in English. It passes the Statue of Liberty and goes up both rivers, under many bridges.
Best for Visitors who want to see the most
Check availability: 2.5-hour cruise around all of Manhattan on GetYourGuide -
from €30 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,944) reviews on GetYourGuide
90-minute statue and skyline cruise
Half the island in 90 minutes from Pier 83. It passes the statue and Ellis Island, then sails under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges.
Best for First-time visitors
Check availability: 90-minute statue and skyline cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €22 per person 1 hour 4.5 (3,490) reviews on GetYourGuide
60-minute statue and skyline cruise
One hour from Pier 83 with a live guide. You see the statue, Ellis Island and the skyline, then head back.
Best for Families with kids, short on time
Check availability: 60-minute statue and skyline cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €26 per person 50 minutes 4.6 (5,875) reviews on GetYourGuide
50-minute express cruise from Downtown
A quick cruise from Pier 16 at South Street Seaport. It sails close to the statue and back, with a live guide in English.
Best for A quick look at the statue
Check availability: 50-minute express cruise from Downtown on GetYourGuide -
from €40 per person 2 hours 4.6 (9,034) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sunset and harbor lights cruise
A 2-hour evening cruise from Pier 83. You watch the city go from golden light to night lights. Drinks and snacks are for sale.
Best for Couples and evening plans
Check availability: Sunset and harbor lights cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €24 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (2,894) reviews on GetYourGuide
90-minute sunset statue cruise
A sunset cruise from Pier 16 with pop music and a full bar. The audio guide plays on your phone, so bring headphones.
Best for Friends who want a relaxed evening
Check availability: 90-minute sunset statue cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €23 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,246) reviews on GetYourGuide
Starship 90-minute landmarks cruise
A 90-minute cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers from Pier 78, with a live guide. You get one free digital photo. It is not for people prone to seasickness.
Best for Budget travelers who want 90 minutes
Check availability: Starship 90-minute landmarks cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €54 per person 1 h 30 min 4.8 (653) reviews on GetYourGuide
Statue and skyline cruise on a luxury yacht
A 90-minute cruise on a 1920s-style yacht from Chelsea Piers, with one drink. You see Ellis Island, Battery Park and Governors Island.
Best for Couples and a special day
Check availability: Statue and skyline cruise on a luxury yacht on GetYourGuide
New York cruises compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5-hour cruise around all of Manhattan | €35 per person | 2 h 30 min | Visitors who want to see the most | The only cruise here that circles the whole island. |
| 90-minute statue and skyline cruise | €30 per person | 1 h 30 min | First-time visitors | The statue and the bridges without a long day on the water. |
| 60-minute statue and skyline cruise | €22 per person | 1 hour | Families with kids, short on time | The lowest price here, and short enough for young kids. |
| 50-minute express cruise from Downtown | €26 per person | 50 minutes | A quick look at the statue | The shortest cruise, and it starts Downtown. |
| Sunset and harbor lights cruise | €40 per person | 2 hours | Couples and evening plans | The longest evening cruise, with a live guide. |
| 90-minute sunset statue cruise | €24 per person | 1 h 30 min | Friends who want a relaxed evening | A cheaper sunset trip than the 2-hour one. |
| Starship 90-minute landmarks cruise | €23 per person | 1 h 30 min | Budget travelers who want 90 minutes | The lowest price for a 90-minute cruise, from €23. |
| Statue and skyline cruise on a luxury yacht | €54 per person | 1 h 30 min | Couples and a special day | A calmer, more stylish boat, rated 4.8 from 653 reviews. |
2.5-hour cruise around all of Manhattan
€35 per person2 h 30 min 4.6 (7,947)
Details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want to see the most
- Why we picked it
- The only cruise here that circles the whole island.
90-minute statue and skyline cruise
€30 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,944)
Details
- Who it suits
- First-time visitors
- Why we picked it
- The statue and the bridges without a long day on the water.
60-minute statue and skyline cruise
€22 per person1 hour 4.5 (3,490)
Details
- Who it suits
- Families with kids, short on time
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price here, and short enough for young kids.
50-minute express cruise from Downtown
€26 per person50 minutes 4.6 (5,875)
Details
- Who it suits
- A quick look at the statue
- Why we picked it
- The shortest cruise, and it starts Downtown.
Sunset and harbor lights cruise
€40 per person2 hours 4.6 (9,034)
Details
- Who it suits
- Couples and evening plans
- Why we picked it
- The longest evening cruise, with a live guide.
90-minute sunset statue cruise
€24 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (2,894)
Details
- Who it suits
- Friends who want a relaxed evening
- Why we picked it
- A cheaper sunset trip than the 2-hour one.
Starship 90-minute landmarks cruise
€23 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,246)
Details
- Who it suits
- Budget travelers who want 90 minutes
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price for a 90-minute cruise, from €23.
Statue and skyline cruise on a luxury yacht
€54 per person1 h 30 min 4.8 (653)
Details
- Who it suits
- Couples and a special day
- Why we picked it
- A calmer, more stylish boat, rated 4.8 from 653 reviews.
- Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
- None of the 8 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
- All 8 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
What is a Circle Line cruise?
Circle Line is a sightseeing boat company. Its main pier is Pier 83 on West 42nd Street, with the most cruises each day. A second dock is Pier 16 at South Street Seaport.
Circle Line says its cruises do not dock at the Statue of Liberty. They sail close for photos and go on.
Its cruises run from 50 minutes to the 2.5-hour loop around Manhattan. The length table below shows each one.
If you want to tour Statue of Liberty island itself, take the official ferry instead. Our guide to Statue of Liberty tours explains how.
Commentary on board
Most Circle Line cruises have a live guide who speaks English. An audio guide in 9 languages plays on your own phone, and you need headphones.
The sunset cruise from Pier 16 has music and an audio guide, but the listing names no live guide. Pick a live-guide cruise if the stories matter to you.
New York boat tours: which length?
For a first visit, 90 minutes is enough to see the statue and the bridges. Choose 60 minutes with young kids. Choose 2.5 hours if you want all of Manhattan.
Want to reach the water on your own? Our guide to the Governors Island New York ferry shows how to get there.
For a free ride past the skyline, read our guide to the Staten Island ferry.
| Cruise | Duration | Leaves from | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | 50 minutes | Pier 16 | A quick look |
| 60-minute statue and skyline | 1 hour | Pier 83 | Kids, short on time |
| 90-minute statue and skyline | 1.5 hours | Pier 83 | First visit |
| 90-minute sunset | 1.5 hours | Pier 16 | A cheaper evening |
| Starship landmarks | 1.5 hours | Pier 78 | Lowest price for 90 minutes |
| Luxury yacht | 1.5 hours | Chelsea Piers | A special day |
| Sunset and harbor lights | 2 hours | Pier 83 | Evening |
| Around Manhattan | 2.5 hours | Pier 83 | See the most |
Free and cheap ways onto the water
The Staten Island Ferry is free. The city says it runs 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes about 25 minutes.
For another short trip by water, see a guide to the Governors Island ferry.
A yacht cruise with the skyline
The yacht cruise runs 90 minutes from Chelsea Piers on a 1920s-style boat. Its cabin is heated or cooled, and one drink is included. Tips are not.
Sunset and night cruises
Two cruises here sail in the evening. The 2-hour sunset and harbor lights cruise leaves from Pier 83. The 90-minute sunset cruise leaves from Pier 16, Downtown.
The 2-hour cruise has a live guide. The 90-minute one has music and a full bar. Both sell drinks on board.
Check that your date has departures. Harbor cruises can run fewer trips in winter.
The 90-minute sunset cruise
The cheaper evening pick leaves from Pier 16 at South Street Seaport. The audio guide plays on your phone, so bring headphones.
Booking tips for New York cruises
Check the pier
Cruises leave from Pier 83, Pier 16, Pier 78 or Chelsea Piers. The pier is on your ticket.
Bring headphones
The audio guide plays on your own phone. You need headphones to hear it.
Check your date
Harbor cruises can run fewer trips in winter. Check that your date has departures before you book.
Budget for extras
Food, drinks and tips are not included on most cruises. The yacht includes one drink.
Circle Line cruises: questions and answers
Is the Circle Line cruise worth it?
How much does a Circle Line cruise cost?
Does the Circle Line stop at the Statue of Liberty?
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Sources (5), facts checked on 24 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.